17/02/2026 17:15

---

An order was whistled-heknew the code well now-and he recorded the approach and loading of theT'swa. The referees' floater moved, circling at 2,000 feet the road-framed block offorest where 2nd Battalion was now. They have a contract to fight a war on a tradeworld called Maragor. Romlar still said nothing.

Somewhere out of sight ofVarlik Lormagen, a bird trilled, some songster of the Orlanthan prairie,intruded upon but not far displaced by the black mercenaries. They left the tent, with its snowbanked outer walls of smalllogs, to saunter the well-packed snow between the rows. But it was simple, common courtesy really,and with friends a pleasure. Then theleaves had shown the first touches of autumn color: yellow, bronze,scarlet.